Ph.D., University of California, Santa Cruz

Phone: (617) 373-2284; (781) 581-7370
Fax: (781) 581-6076
e-mail to: lobster@neu.edu

Curriulum Vitae
Visit the Ayers Biomimetics/Robotics Lab

Neurophysiology and Behavior

My research focuses on the neuroethology of motor systems in invertebrates and lower vertebrates. A developmental approach is directed toward establishing the adaptive mechanisms of simple action patterns and goal oriented behavior. We have focussed on the development of technology which allows recording from motor pattern generators and the behavior they control to directly address the mechanisms of behavior. My primary research program addresses the neuroethology of locomotory behavior in lobsters through electrophysiiology and computer-aided reverse kinematic analysis. In this work we are investigating the detailed kinematics of walking, navigation and investigation and the adaptation of lobsters to current and surge. In addition we have developed a system which uses electromyography and sonar biotelemetry to record from motor systems in freely behaving lobsters. We have also developed technology to correlate the activity of interneuron populations in lamprey with the control of swimming behavior. The overall goal of these projects is to develop biologically-based controllers for ambulatory lobster-based and undulatory lamprey-based robots. All projects are supported by an ongoing program of software development in digital neuronal signal processing, biotelemetry, correlated motion and sensor based analysis from video.